Gossip.

I knew It wouldn’t be perfect, but this soon? Yep. I’ve already failed one my New Year’s Resolutions. I can remember on a number of occasions, when asked what I wanted my New Year’s Resolution to be for 2018, I proudly proclaimed I no longer wanted to participate in gossiping.

I made this decision for several reasons.

For starters, I’ve always been the type of person who just felt uncomfortable talking about other people without their knowledge. I’ve always tried to be conscious of not saying something I wouldn’t be able to tell that person directly. Secondly, a lot of gossip just didn’t concern me and I realized some things just aren’t my business.

On a number of occasions however, I would end up in conversations and walk away feeling guilt or frustration because even though I classified my gossip as “venting”, it still didn’t feel right.

Recently, I found myself in a situation where I was venting my feelings and the individual I was talking about heard the conversation. It was a bit of a nightmare! I never wanted that to happen but it was a learning lesson I needed.

Just weeks before this happened, I saw a YouTube video by one of my favorite Christian YouTubers Joseph Solomon. His video was entitled “GOSSIP. You don’t want to click this video but you know you need to”. Honestly, his title explained my exact feelings! We know gossip is wrong but sometimes we just don’t want to hear it! Regardless, I clicked the video and he summed up gossip perfectly. He defined Gossip as;

“Unbeneficial communication about someone who is not there to defend themselves”.

That is the perfect definition. There may be times when you are unsure if you”re engaging in gossip. For those who are confused about wether or not you are gossiping, use this definition as a determining factor. Is the conversation you’re having beneficial? Is the person there to defend themselves? If you can’t 100% answer yes to these questions, you’re gossiping.

I think gossip has become so accepted in our generation when it is nothing but sin and harmful to our relationships. As believers, we have to stand up in situations where gossip is happening and choose not to contribute or allow the conversations to continue. Proverbs 10:19 says;

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent”

So, the next time you find yourself in a situation that’s leading to gossip, think before you speak, think about how you would make that person feel if they heard your words, and stop making excuses to engage in gossip all together.

Below, have linked Joseph’s video. Watch it. I’m sure we all can relate:

https://youtu.be/QfWz2_Pp3p0